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Play OverviewPlay Overview

Don't Starve (2013) is an open-world survival game where it’s the environment and enemies, rather than other players, that you have to work with. You need to find and develop food, weapons and shelter to survive. It’s enjoyable because it’s hard, so repeat plays to improve performance are common.

There are a variety of versions of this game and all play in a similar fashion. Of note, Don't Starve Together is a version of the game that adds the option to play with another player in the same place. This is not available on Switch or iOS currently.

Our examiner, Andy Robertson, first checked Don't Starve 4 years ago. It was re-examined by Ellen Robertson and updated 6 weeks ago.
Kids not old enough for this yet? There are lots of games similar to Don't Starve. Here are some similar younger-rated games:

Play StylePlay Style

This is a Strategy game with Action and Simulation elements. You can play with 1 to 2 players in the same room or as a 6-player online game. Don't Starve Together version of the game is required for multiplayer features. You can set up your own server via Steam and then play in the same world, each player with their own device.

 
You can play this game in the following styles:

DurationDuration

Play Time: This game will take between 32 hours and 46 hours to complete. It’s a game you don’t necessarily finish in one go, as when you die you start again. To learn how to survive and complete the game can take around 40 hours.

Age RatingsAge Ratings

Content Rating

Rated PEGI 12 for occasional mild violence towards human characters and the use of mild swearing. Violence within the game, which takes the form of physical encounters with animal-like or fantasy-like characters, can result in the demise of the player's character. After being hit a sufficient number of times the player's character falls to the ground and a splash screen appears indicating that the character is dead. The violence however is non-realistic looking. There is also the use of mild swearing in the game - the word 'bloody' is used.

The game's main menu includes a link to the game forum and a community page. Both are moderated by the publisher Klei Entertainment.
 
Users Interact: The game enables players to interact and communicate with each other, so may expose players to language usually associated with older rated games.

Rated for younger players in Australia. Rated Parental Guidance (PG) for Mild Violence, Mild Themes.

Skill Level

10+ year-olds usually have the required skill to enjoy this game. Still, it's important for parents and guardians to consider the maturity required to process the game content. It's also important to ensure children understand in-game purchases and have spending limits set-up. This is a hard game that needs detailed exploration, resource management and combat. This skews quite old because of the need to not only deal with minute-to-minute gameplay but keep an eye on the long game to ensure survival.

CostsCosts

Don't Starve usually costs £7.19 to £10.99.
 

Don't Starve

Steam Store PC £7.19
Steam Store Mac £7.19
Switch Store Switch -
PlayStation Store PS4 -
XBox Store Xbox One -

Don't Starve Together

Steam Store PC £10.99
Steam Store Mac £10.99
There are the following additional costs associated with this game:
  • In-Game Purchases: Additional in-game purchases are offered for items that enhance the experience.
 
In-game purchases for "Shipwrecked", "Hamlet" and "Reign of Giants" packs add new locations, seasons, items and enemies. To play co-operatively you need to "Don't Starve Together" pack, that is purchased separately on PC. Don't Starve Together: Console Edition on Xbox and PlayStation 4 includes co-operative play Don't Starve on Switch includes "Reign of Giants" and "Shipwrecked" but not co-operative play and this is not available to purchase. Don't Starve Mega Pack provides all the expansions in one package on PC, Xbox One and PlayStation 4.Don't Starve: Reign of Giants, Don't Starve: Shipwrecked and Don't Starve: Hamlet each add new creatures, characters and content. 
 
It's important to set up your accounts and devices appropriately. More information is on our Financial Resources page.
 

DetailsGame Details

Release Date: 23/04/2013, updated in 2017

Out Now: Android, Mac, PC, PS Vita, PS3, PS4, Switch, Wii U, Xbox One and iOS

Skill Rating: 10+ year-olds

Players: 1-2 (6 online)

Genres: Strategy (Action and Simulation)

Accessibility: 16 features

Components: 2D Overhead, Blocks, Day and Night, Hand-Made and Open World

Developer: Klei (@Klei)


Taming Gaming Book Written by parents for parents, the database complements the in-depth discussion about video game addiction, violence, spending and online safety in the Taming Gaming book. We are an editorially independent, free resource without adverts that is supported by partnerships.

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